Whitmer Takes Action to Protect Michigan Workers

Whitmer Takes Action to Protect Michigan Workers

by | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2020

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov

 

Governor Whitmer Takes Action to Protect Michigan Workers After the Federal Government Allowed Unemployment Benefits to Lapse

Governor’s order ensures protections for workers who stay home when they’re sick

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-166 to reinstate protections for Michigan workers as the state continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor signed this order after the federal government allowed federal pandemic unemployment assistance for Americans who have lost work as a result of this virus to lapse at the end of July, putting pressure on more people to return to work, even if they’re sick. Under the Executive Order, the governor prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the responsible choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick.

 

“Since day one of this fight, I have urged people to do their part to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, and that includes staying home when you are sick. But after the federal government allowed pandemic unemployment assistance benefits to lapse at the end of July, more working people are feeling pressure to return to work so they can provide for themselves and their families, even if they’re sick,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we have reengaged sectors of our economy, and in turn put thousands of Michiganders back to work, it is still vital that employees feel empowered to make the right choice to say home if they, or someone they have been in contact with is sick. These protections will help to slow the spread of the virus and save lives, but we still need the federal government to work together in a bipartisan way to expand unemployment benefits and provide support for our workers and their families.”

 

Under Executive Order 2020-1, employers must treat employees who stay home when they are sick as if he or she were taking medical leave. Any and all Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 or who display one or more of the principal symptoms, such as a fever, sore throat, a new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, and new loss of taste or smell should stay home. Individuals must remain home until 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without medication or 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or were tested positive.

 

As a rule, if an individual has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or has had close contact with a confirmed positive case they should only leave their home for essential trips, to obtain food, medicine, or medical care. Additionally, they may leave to partake in an outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreational activity consistent with remaining at least six feet from others.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

 

To view Executive Order 2020-166, click the link below:

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Oakland County reminds testing sites to report COVID-19 results promptly

Oakland County reminds testing sites to report COVID-19 results promptly

by | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized

Oakland County reminds testing sites to report COVID-19 results promptly

​Pontiac, Michigan ­– Urgent cares, pharmacies and doctors’ offices are urged to promptly report Oakland County residents COVID-19 test results to the Oakland County Health Division. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Section 18115 requires that molecular (PCR or Abbott ID NOW) and antigen test results must be reported within 24 hours of test completion through existing public health reporting methods. To meet this requirement, submit Oakland County resident COVID-19 test results to covidresults@oakgov.com. Currently, any laboratories and providers who report COVID-19 test results electronically to the State of Michigan should continue to do so.

“Swift reporting of test results detecting COVID-19 is essential to reducing the spread of the disease so that our region does not take a step back in the governor’s reopening plan,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We urge all our urgent cares, pharmacies and medical providers to follow these guidelines, so each positive case is immediately investigated, and contacts identified.”

The CARES Act Section 18115 reporting guidance, requires facilities or locations performing testing at point of care or with at-home specimen collection related to SARS-CoV-21—shall report data for all diagnostic testing completed, for each individual tested, within 24 hours of results being known.

When possible, consider reporting test results daily in a single batch. Use this sample form that includes all reportable information. Visit the CDC website for additional information.

General COVID-19 resources can be found on the Health Division’s website at www.oakgov.com/covid or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call is available 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.

For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.

Additional food assistance extended through August

Additional food assistance extended through August

by | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized

Additional food assistance for 350,000 Michigan families in response to COVID-19 extended through August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2020
Contact: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112

LANSING, MICH. Approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during August as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today.

Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March through July – and now that is being extended for the month of August with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

“COVID-19 and its impact on the economy of the nation and state has made it more difficult for many

Michigan families to pay for nutritious food,” said Lewis Roubal, chief deputy director of opportunity for MDHHS. “The department wants to provide additional assistance to help them through this health care and economic emergency.”

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by August 30, with payments beginning for some households on Thursday, Aug. 20. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month.

Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program

Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in August to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 700,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in June. The remaining households already receive the maximum benefit.

The table below shows the maximum allowable benefit for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:
 

One Person

 

 Two Persons Three Persons Four Persons Five Persons Six Persons Seven Persons  

Eight Persons

 
$194 $355 $509 $646 $768 $921 $1,018 $1,164

 

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

State launches college town COVID-19 Workplace Safety Program

State launches college town COVID-19 Workplace Safety Program

by | Aug 10, 2020 | Uncategorized

State launches college town COVID-19 Workplace Safety Program

LEO is hosting a series of webinars to help college town retail, bars, restaurants and other businesses protect employees and customers from COVID-19 

August 7, 2020

Contact: Erica Quealy, 517-582-2961

In an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as students return to Michigan college and university communities, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will host a series of webinars for retail, bars, restaurants and other businesses in seven Michigan college towns.

“With the number of cases among young, college-aged Michiganders increasing, its critical we take extra steps to ensure that businesses in college towns know how to protect their employees, customers and communities from COVID-19,” said LEO Director Jeff Donofrio. “Businesses across the state are working hard to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we’re working to provide resources and programs to help make that job easier.”

The information presented in the webinars will help businesses that serve college students – like retail, restaurants, bars and gyms – understand the most up-to-date rules and protocols they need to protect their patrons, employees and communities this fall.

Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan will present the latest information and answer questions on operations and compliance. Local businesses are encouraged to join on the date that coincides with their area:

“The return of college students presents a new challenge and our businesses must be ready,” said Egan. “To beat COVID-19, everyone must be aware of the latest information and follow key safety and health behaviors. We want to help local businesses understand exactly how to do that, so that together we can slow the spread of the virus and keep the economy moving.”

To learn more about COVID-19 Workplace Safety, visit Michgan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

AG Shifts Focus to Care Facilities Violating Executive Orders 

AG Shifts Focus to Care Facilities Violating Executive Orders 

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Ryan Jarvi
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-599-2746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 6, 2020

AG Nessel Shifts Focus to Long-term Care Facilities Violating Executive Orders

LANSING – To make sure long-term care facilities are operating within the requirements of law during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is ramping up efforts to enforce Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order that provides rules and procedures those facilities must follow to protect the health of their employees and residents.

Executive Order 2020-148 outlines protections for residents at long-term care facilities, like barring their evictions for nonpayment, and lists several requirements those institutions must follow to safeguard the health and safety of their residents and employees. There are more than 4,900 long-term care facilities across the state impacted by Executive Order 2020-148. Long-term care facilities include nursing homes, homes for the aged, adult foster care facilities and assisted living facilities.

Among other requirements under the executive order, long-term care facilities must cancel communal dining and group activities, implement disinfection and sanitation regimens, provide personal protective equipment to employees, inform employees of a COVID-19-positive patient, and report presumed positive cases and additional data to their local health departments and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Willful violations of this executive order are considered a misdemeanor offense, which carry a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

“Over the last several months, this virus has claimed more than 6,000 lives in Michigan and presented us with countless challenges that we have had to work together to overcome,” Nessel said. “My office is prepared to continue our role of enforcing the law as this virus lingers and as Michigan’s most vulnerable populations remain at risk. The measures outlined in Executive Order 2020-148 to protect those vulnerable populations and the people who care for them must be followed.”

The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division receives federal funding to investigate and prosecute alleged abuse and neglect of residents of long-term care facilities, including taking legal actions to address violations of this executive order. However, the division may only act in response to a formal complaint.

The division has been working with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to review reports of executive order violations since the orders were issued. Responses to those reports thus far have been handled through education and outreach measures, rather than the pursuit of criminal charges. However, the Attorney General’s office is prepared to take legal action if necessary. Details about ongoing investigations will not be released.

The enforcement of Executive Order 2020-148 at long-term care facilities is a coordinated effort among the Attorney General’s office, MDHHS and LARA, which maintains regulatory oversight of these facilities. It’s also supported by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“Across Michigan, nursing home staff, residents, and their families have made unprecedented sacrifices over the past four months to protect each other from the spread of COVID-19,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Their work has undoubtedly saved lives. However, if there are facilities in our state that are putting their residents and staff at risk by not following the rules, they must be held accountable. I’m grateful that the Attorney General is prepared to take action to ensure every long-term care facility is doing everything they can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable residents.”

As of Monday, Michigan has recorded more than 2,000 resident deaths in long-term care facilities that have resulted from COVID-19 exposure, with around 7,800 positive COVID-19 cases emanating from people residing in those facilities. There have also been 22 deaths of staff members at long-term care facilities and more than 3,700 infected.

“Our staff works with the employees and owners of Michigan’s long-term care facilities day in and day out and while I’m confident that the vast majority of them are doing things the right way, it is vital that we take action against those who are not following the rules,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “I appreciate AG Nessel and her team in leading the efforts for consumers to file complaints on possible violations related to the EO violations and spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.”

As part of the concerted effort, LARA will refer complaints it receives involving violations of the various safety protocols outlined in EO 2020-148 to the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division, which will review the complaint and determine whether additional steps must be taken, such as seeking more information from the facility, launching a formal investigation or taking action in the courts.

The Department of Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division has jurisdiction to investigate claims of abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities. Violations can be reported by calling the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division at 800-24-ABUSE (800-242-2873) or filing a complaint online.
Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

EGLE Main GovD banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 6, 2020
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, AssendelftN@Michigan.gov, 517-388-3135

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week Aug. 8-16 spotlights Michigan’s water resources

Michigan is uniquely defined by our Great Lakes and our water plays an important role in our heritage, our communities and the economy, including a robust tourism industry. Michiganders can celebrate everything the state’s water resources have to offer as well as pledge to be faithful stewards of those resources during Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week Aug. 8-16.

A proclamation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer notes the Great Lakes system is the largest freshwater system in the world and it is the responsibility of all Michiganders to practice stewardship, increase their water literacy and raise awareness of the value of the state’s water resources.

“Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week is an excellent reminder about how vitally important it is to protect our state’s lakes and rivers and even our groundwater,” said Liesl Clark, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “Every Michigander benefits in many important ways from this abundant natural resource that we sometimes take for granted. I’m happy to work with partners across the state to highlight the many wonderful efforts to protect, restore and sustain our fresh water for future generations.”

A stroll on the beach. Water skiing on the Great Lakes. Spending the day at your favorite fishing hole. Share your photos and videos on social media of your favorite water recreation or stewardship activities or post your pledge to be a guardian of the state’s water resources using the hashtag #MiGreatLakesWeek.

Join the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) for a webinar from 1-2:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, that will kick off the weeklong water-related celebration. Information on the webinar will help local communities understand the importance of Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, our connection to water and how the One Water Campaign serves as a tool to get communities involved in protecting water resources.

“We are proud to be part of this statewide celebration of the Great Lakes and all of our freshwater resources,” said Kathleen Lomako, executive director of SEMCOG. “Water is critical to our quality of life, and we all need to do our part to ensure access to high quality water for generations to come.”

SEMCOG also has a list of virtual and in-person water education events in which the public can participate to learn about Michigan’s abundant water resources and help Michiganders take action to become water stewards.

“I look forward to Great Lakes Week every year,” said Michele Arquette-Palermo, head of the Freshwater Forum at Cranbrook Institute of Science and Coordinator of Slow Row LO, a paddling group based in Lake Orion. It is a great time to highlight our local lakes and streams. I enjoy promoting paddling sports by hosting an event every year.”

Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, approximately 6.5 million acres of wetlands, roughly 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, an estimated 74,000 acres of coastal dunes, and vast groundwater resources. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy collaborates with community organizations across the state to highlight the successes and seek solutions for the challenges related to water stewardship.